BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ali N Salhi - CEO & President

Ali Salhi was born in Kirkuk, Iraq in 1944 in a Kurdish middle class family. He received his schooling in Kirkuk and Baghdad with a degree in Education and additional studies in Economics, International Trade, Real Estate, Marketing and Development. After leaving Iraq, he became a US citizen and a successful businessman, receiving a Congressional Businessman of the Year award in Washington, DC.

Salhi has been involved in Iraqi politics since his early years. As a young student, he became a strong opponent of Saddam Hussein and his regime. In the early 1970’s, he took up arms in the Kurdish revolt against Saddam and became a commando leader. In 1975, the revolt collapsed and Salhi was forced to seek refuge and political asylum in the United States.

In 1976 he started his new life in America, settling in South Dakota. He continued his involvement with both American and Iraqi politics. During the 1980’s and 1990’s he worked in the Iraqi opposition against Saddam Hussein, secretly returning to Northern Iraq many times to organize political activities. In 2000 he was elected Chairman of the “Iraqi Free Officers and Civilians Movement” (IFOCM). This independent underground political organization worked secretly inside Iraq to organize Iraqi senior military officers against Saddam’s government. Many members of the organization were executed for their attempt to overthrow Saddam.

The IFOCM was named by the White House in 2003 as one of Iraqi’s “democratic opposition organizations” in a Presidential Determination issued under the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998. Leaders of the Iraqi Free Officers and Civilians Movement were dispatched to the war zone before the arrival of U.S. troops and participated in the fighting once the war started.

Salhi and his forces participated in the liberation of Kirkuk in the early days of the war. In Kirkuk, he set up his headquarters in the Capital Building and became a personal consultant to the Commander of the 173rd Airborne, Colonel William Mayville. He has maintained close contact with the US Consulate in Kirkuk, as well as with US military commanders.

In early May 2003, Salhi was elected by a landslide vote to the 32- member Kirkuk Governing Council. He was then nominated for the position of Governor of Kirkuk, but declined the post for political and family reasons. Ali Salhi held positions on two government committees as the Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and the Committee on Oil Industry Development. The issues he handled included development and control of Iraq’s oil industry, economic development of the North and the future status of Kirkuk, the structure of the federal state, the use of US assistance, and strategies for political and economic development of Iraq.

Salhi ran for the Kirkuk Governing Council as an independent and has worked closely with all groups in Iraq, including the Arabs, Turkmen, Shia and Sunnis. He also has a strong relation-ship with the Iraqi central government, especially with Iraqi President Talabani, a fellow Kurd.

Ali Salhi is married and has six children.

Shawkat Taha Ahmed - Founder & Chairman of KURDS NGO & Co-Founder of American KURDS NGO

Mr. Ahmed likes to describe himself as being a dedicated civic activist, spending the majority of his professional life sharing his acquired technical skills and experience in service of civic causes. Starting his career as an engineer in the public sector provided an insight into the deteriorating infrastructure in the Kurdistan region following the conflicts and wars in Iraq in the 80s and early 90s. He resigned his public job and joined the newly formed and rapidly expanding civil society sector aiming at filling in the gaps in public service provision with the assistance of international donors. He began as a volunteer with various organizations, associations and charities providing technical engineering knowledge while pursuing community development knowledge.

Later, he joined and lead the Kurdistan Reconstruction and Development Society (KURDS), which has transformed under his leadership since 1998 to be one of the leading civil society organizations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. KURDS is now the largest partner of the United Nations in the area with a portfolio of over $45M at its peak, providing emergency and long term support to IDPs and Refugees in Iraq, documenting human rights violations, election and voter education, and legal advice to vulnerable persons.

Some of the current activities Mr. Ahmed continues to perform on a volunteer basis until today include: Active participation in observing and leading teams of election observers from 2005 until now, providing open training on election monitoring to local organizations and young leaders, engaging in campaigns to advocate for the development of rural areas, providing system analysis reviews for local organizations in the region, assisting the civil activists and civil society organizations in Iraq in identifying training opportunities with various international organizations, engaging foundations and donors, participating in charity events, and continuing to implement surveys in the IDP and Refugee camps to identify and prioritize most needed interventions in the short term and long term basis for public and international organizations.

Dr. Reuben Egolf - Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President

Dr. Egolf is the co-founder and managing partner of the United States Council on Global Development (USCGD), headquartered in Washington, D.C. A sought-after speaker at economic business summits, he addresses topics such as ethics in business, leadership strategies, and the successful structuring of developing nations. Additionally, he serves as a moderator at numerous global conferences. His expertise extends to consulting on debt reconstruction and economic development for multiple nations across Africa and Asia. Dr. Egolf has also worked closely with members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on foreign policy matters related to Syria, Kurdistan, and Middle Eastern conflicts. His influence has reached the highest levels of leadership, as he has served on advisory councils to Presidents, Prime Ministers, and governments worldwide.

Notable Chairmanships

Intereco Energy LLC - As President of this U.S.-based technology and energy company, Dr. Egolf leads initiatives focused on waste management through recycling and energy recovery.

Slanaigh Global Consortium (SGC) - Chairman of SGC, headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a mining and community development company. He is also a partner with AJHAM Energy on port construction and limestone exportation projects in Aden, Yemen.

Leading Nations Inc. - As CEO, Dr. Egolf leads this NGO, which operates both domestically in the U.S. and primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. The organization is currently spearheading water distribution projects across 10 districts in Gambia, providing financial aid for humanitarian projects in the U.S., and offering leadership insights for healthcare and medical security in developing nations.

USCGD – The United States Council on Global Development, an organization committed to improving infrastructure through advanced business strategies and sustainable solutions. Human Rights Global Congress (HRGC) – Formerly served as Vice President from 2013 to 2016. HRGC, recognized by the United Nations, promoted civil dialogue and developed strategies to diffuse conflict.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Egolf was honored with the “Girma Wolde-Giogis Award” (named after the former President of Ethiopia) for his contributions as a “Human Conservation Solutionist” in recognition of his work as Vice President of the Human Rights Global Congress.

James B. McCarthy, M.B.A., J.D. - Member

Mr. McCarthy is based Chicago where he addresses legal, organizational structure, development, and financial issues for USCGD clients and partners.  His forty-five years experience in the health care field has ranged from analysis and planning to senior management roles.  His experience includes:

• • developing, financing, and managing hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and diagnostic centers in the United States and overseas;
  • developing, structuring, and implementing international healthcare joint venture arrangements; and
  • implementing domestic and international medical supply and equipment arrangements.

From 1991 until 2016, he was Chairman and CEO of Gemini Consulting Group, Inc., an international healthcare consulting company with offices in London, England and Sydney, Australia. Previously, Mr. McCarthy was the Executive Vice President of a Chicago-based health care consulting company and has also held positions as Vice President and General Manager of a medical device manufacturing company in Chicago and spent five years in increasingly responsible planning positions with the Medical Products Division of 3M Company.

Mr. McCarthy received his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, his J.D. from the Loyola University School of Law, and his M.B.A. from the Keller Graduate School of Management.  He is a member of various state and national organizations, including the American Health Lawyers Association.

Mr. McCarthy is a founder and former member of the Board of Directors of CareSpan Health, Inc., Vancouver, BC. He also previously served on the Board of Directors of the International Space Medicine Consortium, Inc., Washington, D.C. and the Board of Trustees at the University of San Diego, San Diego, California. He is currently a Life Trustee at Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest, Illinois, and also serving on the Board of CrossBraining, Inc. an EdTech company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Organamet Bio, Inc., Houston, TX.

Mr. McCarthy also served for eleven years on the Board of Directors of Wintrust Financial Corporation (WTFC, Nasdaq) Rosement, Illinois, a $53 Billion financial holding company, Hinsdale Bank and Trust Company, Hinsdale, Illinois, Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. (PPTI) San Diego, California, JMAR Technologies, Inc. (JMAR) San Diego, California, StemCyte, Inc., Covina, California and Sirigen Group Ltd., London, England.

Prof. Ireneusz Majsterek - Member

Prof. Ireneusz Majsterek is an outstanding medical scientist, academic leader, and innovation strategist with extensive experience in international research collaboration and developing scientific solutions to major global health challenges. He is a professor and head of the Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Medical University of Lodz. He is the head of the state-of-the-art R&D unit, the Center for Molecular Research on Civilization Diseases (MOLecoLAB) and coordinator of the Drug Efficacy and Safety Laboratory, where he oversees interdisciplinary initiatives focusing on translational medicine and long-term impact on public health.

With over 450 peer-reviewed scientific publications and leadership of more than 40 national and international research projects including grants from the Ministry of Science (MNiSW), Medical Research Agency (ABM), National Science Center (NCN), National Center for Research and Development (NCBR). Prof. Ireneusz Majsterek has dedicated his career to advancing medical innovation in areas such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and age-related conditions. His work bridges fundamental molecular research with clinical application, supporting the development of precision-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that contribute to improved healthcare systems and patient outcomes.

His international engagement includes participation in research initiatives supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and European funding frameworks. He has been actively involved in initiatives connected to the Horizon 2021-2027 program, contributing to international consortium development and cross-border scientific collaboration aimed at strengthening European research capacity and international scientific collaboration.

Prof. Ireneusz Majsterek also serves as a member of an expert panel within the European Defence Agency (EDA), where he contributes scientific expertise in the field of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) resilience and preparedness. His involvement supports the integration of biomedical research and public health knowledge into broader European strategic frameworks, enhancing cooperation between scientific institutions, healthcare systems, and policy-oriented structures in addressing emerging biological and health-related threats. He has worked with national government ministries and European institutions on initiatives related to innovation policy, research development, and healthcare system advancement, contributing his expertise within advisory groups and expert panels focused on strengthening research capacity and technological innovation.

Beyond research, he has held advisory and strategic roles related to innovation policy, research development, and interdisciplinary cooperation between academia, healthcare institutions, and technology sectors. He actively promotes responsible scientific leadership, international partnership building, and evidence-based approaches to complex societal challenges.

He is the recipient of several prestigious distinctions recognizing both scientific excellence and societal impact, including the Future Scientist Award (2019) and the Outstanding Scientist for Intelligent Development Honorary Award (2020). In 2022, he was recognized as part of the Future Research Team distinction for advancing biomedical innovation with translational and societal relevance.

Prof. Ireneusz Majsterek is also an inventor and contributor to patented biomedical solutions designed to translate research advances into practical clinical and technological applications. His professional mission centers on advancing precision medicine, strengthening international scientific cooperation, and supporting initiatives that enhance healthcare resilience, knowledge exchange, and sustainable development through science and innovation.

Mehraban Saber Hade - Member

Jarek Grobelny - Member

With over 20 years of experience in waste management, Jarosław Grobelny is not just an industry expert, he is a driving force behind innovative environmental solutions. As the CEO of Intereko Energia Sp. z o.o. and Vice President of Intereco Energy LLC, he leads initiatives that transform waste management, circular economy strategies, and sustainable development on a global scale. A Member of the Program Council of UNGC Network Poland and the Expert Council of an international organization focused on sustainable development goals, Jarosław plays an active role in shaping global environmental policies. His work extends beyond boardrooms—he collaborates with NGOs in South Sudan and drives projects with his U.S.-based sister company in Washington, D.C., ensuring real-world impact where sustainable solutions are most needed. Additionally, he is honored to have joined the Stakeholder Council of the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Wrocław. This new role marks an important step in strengthening the collaboration between business and academia, with the goal of advancing education and fostering innovation.

Expertise

• Integrated Waste Management & Circular Economy – Transforming waste into a resource through strategic, sustainable systems
• Environmental Policy & Sustainable Development – Advising policymakers on responsible production and consumption
• Education & Stakeholder Mobilization – Leading initiatives that empower businesses, governments, and communities to take action
• International Collaboration & Green Investment Strategies – Bridging global partnerships to accelerate clean energy transitions and resource efficiency

Jarosław’s leadership at Intereko Energia, spanning over a decade, along with his expertise in alternative fuel production, has been widely recognized. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Marketing & Management from the University of Łódź, leveraging his expertise to design cutting-edge waste-to-energy solutions.

Achievements

• Waste Management Specialist of the Year (2022/2023, Poland)
• Entrepreneurial Leader (2022 & 2023)

Additionally, his active role in the UNGC Anti-Corruption Working Group highlights his dedication
to ethical leadership in the environmental sector.

Shaping the Future of Sustainability

The world faces an ecological crisis driven by unsustainable consumption, inefficient waste management, and policy inertia. Tackling these challenges requires systemic change, technological innovation, and actionable policies. Jarosław believes in moving beyond rhetoric and driving pragmatic, science-backed solutions. By collaborating with organizations, governments, and innovators, he works toward creating a cleaner, more resilient world—because the future of our planet depends on the decisions we make today.

David Windhorn - Member

David Windhorn, a managing member with American Kurds, brings a wealth of experience in international projects and a deep commitment to global humanitarian efforts spanning over 25 years.

His journey in humanitarian work began with impactful projects in Grenada, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, where he provided essential aid to local communities. David's dedication led him to expand his efforts in Africa, where he spearheaded fundraising initiatives with Hydrating Humanity, resulting in the construction of vital clean water wells in Tanzania.

Today, David remains dedicated to collaborating with international organizations, using his extensive network to breathe new life into stagnant projects alongside government officials. His adeptness in connecting Ministry officials, specialist technicians, and funders has been pivotal in ensuring the successful execution of national projects.

Awards and Recognition

• Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed by President Biden in 2023
• iChange Nations Global Peace Ambassador

Jeremy Weaver - Member

Jeremy Weaver, co-founder of STP Energy and Solutions, and owner of Surus Group Consulting, a distinguished marketing and research firm headquartered in Kentucky, USA, possesses a remarkable track record spanning over two decades. Throughout his career, Mr. Weaver has showcased his exceptional talents while collaborating with clients across diverse regions including North America, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Asia, and notably, Africa, where he has primarily focused on market development and feasibility studies.

While Mr. Weaver's expertise lies in marketing and computer science, his journey has afforded him the unique opportunity to delve into market research across a myriad of industries and cultural landscapes. As a result, he has cultivated an extraordinarily diverse portfolio of experience, encompassing sectors such as manufacturing, retail, agriculture, healthcare, energy, mining, logistics, defense, and politics.

Jeremy Weaver's unwavering commitment to excellence and his innate ability to navigate various industries and cultures have established him as a trusted leader in the field of marketing and research. His innovative approaches and strategic insights continue to drive success for clients worldwide, solidifying his reputation as a dynamic force in the industry.